The Bridge Is Ooouuuttt!

[@JF-lt5zc]

ooff. That's a tough one. I've done repairs on dropped locos before, but they're never the same again. Today's paints are, well, today's paints. Matching them to manufacturers paint never seems to be quite right. You did an awesome job repairing that loco! As for the preventative measures, I'd go with an electrical solution vs physical. It's too easy to rush or forget a portion of your very clever solution. Electrical isolation of that bridge and the track in front of it is a more fool proof solution. Just don't forget to consider keep alives in your locos and run time before they expire! First vid of your layout that I've seen. Looks amazing!

[@santaferatonsub]

I miss the older paints we used to have too. Tamiya is the best I have used of the new stuff, but like you say, can't always get colors to match your model. I hope you find time to watch more of our vidos and even subscribe so you dont miss any.

[@David-pn3yp]

Tragic, sorry for your loss.

[@santaferatonsub]

Thanks, at least it is back together and we are able to display it.

[@jalonishag232]

This is the first locomotive that has over an cliff an survived 😮

[@santaferatonsub]

It really is amazing that the damage wasn't worse. Since we don't have a motor at this time I ran it yesterday as a dummy. It worked and looked great!

[@Amtrax_BrianB_001]

If you are running DCC you can add a block detection module that will kill power within isolated blocks on both sides of the lift out section. We have installed the system on our traveling modular layout.

[@santaferatonsub]

Good point, thanks for the tip!

[@DarkTerritory71]

I am so sorry that happened to you. Makes your stomach turn, doesn't it! I had about 15 of my models (just 4 days ago) fall when my rollout shelf that the unit sat on when they weren't being operated! The roller broke, and they all pulled up! I am in the process of putting them back together

[@santaferatonsub]

So sorry to hear about your loss, I guess every model railroader has dropped at least one.

[@DarkTerritory71]

@santaferatonsub Lord???? I thought I was gunna die? 🤣 I told my wife, she ask, "Are you ok?" So seriously. Sometimes, I have a bunch of different shells and parts, i throw nothing away, holler if I can ever help.

[@StevieWonder737]

My liftout and swing bridges (1 each) have safety connections so that if they are open/removed the track power goes dead about 18" from the bridge in both directions.

[@santaferatonsub]

We use a physical block to keep cars that might get loose from going past an electrical only barrier.

[@jeffbaker2897]

Here’s a second bit of protection you could add is a couple of micro switches at the bridge and wire them in to your system, so when it is lifted out power will be cut off a few feet back on each side of the bridge, just a thought, I did this method with my G gauge and works well.I definitely feel your pain more than once on that. Looks like a nice layout you have , you take care sir &God Bless🙏🏻👋😎🛤🚂🚄🚋

[@santaferatonsub]

Thanks, you’re absolutely right, it’s always a good idea to think of every way to protect a model railroad.

[@devernepersonal3636]

well where was the dispatch to say a mow window was out on the bridge?!

[@santaferatonsub]

I was engineer and dispatcher and unfortunately got distracted.

[@tftrainman]

Why not just add an electrical contact box where when the bridge is removed, it cuts track power on both sides pf the birdge a certain distance. A freind of mine did that on his layout and it is absolute handy. No trains can make it remotely close to the end of track when the track gate or bridge is open

[@santaferatonsub]

I considered the electrical solutions but opted for a manual approach.

[@kenfuller8120]

Bummer, I had BNSF 5817 fall about 4 1/2 feet but was carpet on concrete and it exploded she back running just missing a fan and grill

[@santaferatonsub]

Wow, that was close! Sounds like you got lucky.

[@tueypjr4823]

I'd say use it as a shop dummy and just have sit around there for the time being, I once saw a scaletrains SD40-3 run tail first off my clubs layout smashing into the floor bending its rear porch straight up along with bending and breaking other pieces sadly it couldn't be saved.

[@santaferatonsub]

Wow, that's a bummer.

[@O-PAC]

I have never seen this channel before today but I immediately read the title of this video in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice from True Lies.

[@santaferatonsub]

That is how I read it in my head too!

[@The_Duggler25]

That locomotive would make for a good "derailed" locomotive load on a flat car

[@santaferatonsub]

I like that idea!

[@The_Duggler25]

@santaferatonsub right! The way the frame bent and steps broke on both sides made it look really natural like it was in a bit of a derailment